Complexd Women

Name: Giselle M. Antoine
Age:27
Occupation: Physiotherapist
Place of birth: Grenada, W.I
Current residence: Grenada,

At the age of four my mother took me to the UK so she could pursue her studies in fashion merchandising and retailing. When I started school I was exposed to children of different cultures and countries from a very early age. I would travel frequently with my aunt to Antigua and other parts of the Caribbean, but my fondest memories are of growing up in Grenada. When we settled back in Grenada, my mum started her business Nefetari Designs and I attended St. Joseph’s Convent in St. George’s and the T.A Marryshow Community College. These institutions played a pivotal role in shaping me into the person I am today.

I recently started my own business Island Physical Therapy, which is Grenada’s most modern Physiotherapy clinic. I have worked hard to ensure that we created the right atmosphere and environment for the full recovery of rehab patients and I achieved this by ensuring that we were equipped with cutting-edge technology, employed knowledgeable staff and always provided good customer service. I am proud to say that since its inception in September 2011 we are now Grenada’s most sought after rehab facility and will continue to set the bar in superior physiotherapy care to the people we serve.

After studying abroad, I made the decision to return home and open my business because I knew there was a need for this type of service and I felt obligated to return and furbish the demand. Setting up the clinic was a smooth and successful one because I received tremendous support from everyone. My family, friends and the public on a whole welcomed my business with open arms and this gave me the ammunition I needed to get the job done. I feel extremely honored by the confidence and trust everyone placed in my venture and it showed my investors it was a worthwhile investment. Through my business I am able to educate people about Physiotherapy and its benefits and encourage people in Grenada to make better decisions in regards to recovery and rehabilitation.

I have also been successful in creating a non-governmental and non-profit group geared towards promoting and creating awareness about the importance of a regular exercise regime. We call ourselves ‘The Grenada Physical Health Promoters’ and along with five members initiate monthly campaigns and activities to get our message across. Our first activity was a senior citizen’s fun day; which is in fact the very first senior citizens fun day held in Grenada. We brought seniors from elderly facilities island-wide to the National Youth Development centre where they were able to partake in traditional games and activities which they thoroughly enjoyed. Since then we have been involved in quite a number of community based activities and I frequently submit entries to our local newspapers informing the public about physiotherapy and therapeutic programs.

I love my Grenadian people and culture! Everyone radiates a brilliance and eagerness for life that is very infectious. I sometimes place myself as a non-national and admire the manner in which people greet each other regardless of whether they know each other or not. Courtesy and being courteous is a must in Grenada and having a solid family upheld by morals is commonplace. For me, there is nothing better than a Friday evening spent at fish Friday in our fishing capital of Gouyave where you can find shrimps, lobster, conch, crayfish and snapper. The wide variety of spices found on our island gives us food with rich flavours and the melodious tunes that emanate from our steel pans, the infectious rhythms of our drums and the harmonizing and invigorating voices of our people all play a pivotal role in producing a culture as rich and intriguing as ours, which is why I love it so much.

My enthusiasm and commitment to see the betterment of an individual gives me great satisfaction. I am a self-motivated individual that sees life as a canvas and if I use the right colorful pencils, unusual geometric shapes and varying brush strokes, I hope to eventually create a masterpiece. Amidst all of this, I accept I am human, I cry, I laugh, I scream, I shout, I eat frosted flakes in bed and don’t always feel like going to work, but I am forever grateful for everything because I am a strong, independent, determined Caribbean woman and I am Complexd!

Throughout the world hundreds of thousands of women are living with the physical and emotional scars inflicted by war. Join Me on the Bridge is a chance for people to stand in solidarity with these women on International Women’s Day (March 8th), and join their fight for peace and equality. The idea and inspiration for the Join me on the Bridge campaign came from the Women for Women International country directors and programme participants in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). These women decided that they wanted to meet on the bridge that joined their two countries to show the world that they could come together and build bridges of peace and hope for the future. So, on 8th March 2010, women marched from DRC holding one side of a banner, and from Rwanda holding the other. When they met the two halves of the banner were joined to reveal their message: “Women are building bridges of peace”.

Inspired by the strength, courage and determination of these women, a global campaign began. Joining on bridges became a symbolic way to show women bridging the gap between peace and war, equality and inequality, and a way to stand in solidarity with women in war-torn countries. Last year 75,000 people joined us on 464 bridges in 70 countries around the world, and this year we hope there will be even more.

LONDON

IRAQ

DRC

RWANDA

CANADA

AUSTRALIA

BOSNIA

Despite peace being declared, the lives of women in DRC and Rwandaare still plagued by violence and hardship. Their road to peace and equality is a long and hard one, but by showing your support on March 8th this year you can give these women the strength to carry on, by letting them know: “we are with you.” Find out how by visiting the Join me on the Bridge website.

Words by Sarah O’Malley

Name: Safiya Freya Sawney

Age: 29

Occupation: Environmental and Climate Change Consultant

Place of birth: Grenada (or as we say ‘Greenz’)

Current residence: Brooklyn

When I was growing up, I loved writing about outside more than being outside. I would get lost in the childish fantastical mysteries of British author Enid Blyton and the deep-rooted, flamboyant writings of Caribbean authors Sam Selvon, Derek Walcott and V.S. Naipaul. I would indulge in the stories of my imagination prompted by the uniqueness of my Grenadian environment. My mother nurtured my dedication to writing by assigning me writing projects about new places we would visit in Grenada, like the ancient rum factory in River Antoine that turns sugarcane into spirited liquor to the waterfalls in Mt. Camel – nature’s shower within Grenada’s rainforest. She has read every single story and still does to this day.

I work at the United Nations (UN) as a technical officer within the Secretariat of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). AOSIS is a negotiating group consisting of 43 members within the UN. We represent the countries vulnerable to climate change such as small and low-lying islands of the world. As a technical officer I am responsible for securing important partnerships and projects that would assist AOSIS members in achieving their environmental and climate change objectives and providing  technical support during critical conferences such as the recent climate conference in Durban, South Africa. AOSIS has been under Grenada’s chairmanship for the last 4 years and most recently the South Pacific island of Nauru has taken over the reigns. My contract has now ended with AOSIS and I’m currently pursuing opportunities within the Caribbean. However, AOSIS will continue to work with larger developed countries in 2012 to secure funding to achieve their sustainable development and climate change objectives. AOSIS is also working diligently on placing Oceans on the agenda for the RIO+20 conferences in Brazil this June.

The one thing I love about Grenada is the ocean. Grenada has a vast underworld just off the coastline and offers the best diving spots. I love being surrounded by the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea (Grand Anse Beach, St. Georges) and the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean (Bathway and Levera Beaches, St. Patrick’s).

I am Complexd because I am a child of the Caribbean calling Brooklyn, New York my home. I find comfort in art, music and fashion, just as much as I do in nature. I am not one-dimensional. I am neither a creative nor a scientist – I am an amalgam.

My purpose in life is simply to accomplish everything I said I would as a child. I believe a Complexd woman is a woman that listens to the stirrings in her soul and never limits herself to just one thing. I am Complexd because I embrace all of who I am – I am not conformed to any stereotype.

For Grenadian Independence, Complexd magazine will be celebrating by interviewing talented, driven and inspiring young women of Grenadian heritage.

Image by Joshua Yetman 

Name: Cherrie Jones
Age: 27
Occupation: Chef de Parti at the University Club of the St.George’s University, Grenada/ Student at George Brown Toronto
Place of birth: Grenada
Current residence: Toronto Canada

My mother and father are both Grenadian with a hint of Venezuelan. I grew up in a very large family with little resources which made life difficult at times, but those experiences contributed to my drive and ambition. My mother always told me to look my best no matter what’s happening at home.

photos courtesy Andrew Richards and Daniel Bissessar

I love fashion, music and dance, but food is the medium that I use to express my creativity. I believe my passion for food grew out of having to cook frequently for my brother and sister when I was younger. I love transforming ingredients into tasty dishes, but I also love the art of presenting them on the plate. Food has so many tastes, colours, textures and patterns and inventing new ways to combine these things really excites me.

I am currently studying Culinary Management in Toronto. I wanted to develop my skills by learning about the business side of my profession. The educational system in Canada makes it fairly easy to adapt because the schools onus is on the progress of students and I have always had a strong work ethic. I am not afraid to admit that I cried on my first day because I was so overwhelmed and homesick and Canadian culture and lifestyle has proven to be a bit more difficult than I thought. The pace is so much faster and it’s lacking the sense of community that I am used to in Grenada. I miss the comfort and familiarity of home, our beautiful beaches, fresh food, the sunshine and most of all the easiness of island life. But I am here to achieve my goals so I will continue to persevere!

In 2011 I won the title of Miss St Georges, Grenada and Miss Carnival Queen.

Some countries are extremely passionate about pageants, but its level of importance in Grenada is still very low. As a result there wasn’t a set role for the two titles I won so I decided to create my own duties and use them to make a difference.

As a small island I believe there should be Grenadian role models for the youth so they don’t just look to personalities in the international media. We need to inspire the youth of Grenada and steer them in the right path by being more proactive. This is why my most memorable speech was returning to my old school on careers day and having the chance to inspire young students. Being back in the classroom speaking to a room filled with young people hungry for a sense of direction was a great experience!

I got the opportunity to work with The Ministry of Youth Empowerment and take part in The National Youth Awards. I had the pleasure of handing over the scholarship I won with my title to a lovely young student named Denee Toussaint.

I felt truly at home while working with the senior citizens of Grenada and I had the opportunity to meet a great deal of people who are not always recognised, but work very hard in their community.

I am Complexd because I am very driven, strong and grounded. I never wait for opportunities; I find them and grasp them even if it means knocking on a million doors. There are so many things I want to be, a Fashion Designer/Stylist, Chef, Musician, Dancer, Motivational Speaker. The list is endless. My inability to accept limits or defeat makes me complexd.

Watch Cherrie’s live interview on DayBreak Grenada

Sass + Bide and Felder Felder are two of our favourite female design duos. Australian friends Sarah- Jane Clarke (sass) and Heidi Middleton (bide) design modern and distinction collections dedicated to the strong, obscure and beautiful.

Resort 2011

Identical sisters Annette and Daniela Felder (Felder Felder) carry a signature feminine rock and roll aesthetic in their collections. Worn by the likes of Rihanna and Florence and the Machine their designs are intrigued by opposites and combined contrast in a bid to achieve the perfect balance in each design.

AW 2011/2012

SS 2012

London Fashion Week 17-21st February

Name: Stephanie Telemaque
Age: 19
Place of Birth: Trinidad & Tobago
Current Residence: Savannah, Georgia

My mother was born in Grenada and has British family and my dad was born in Trinidad. Our family is generally a mix up of everything, which is usually common in the Caribbean, especially Trinidad. My upbringing was fairly normal other than having a beauty queen for a mother.

My aunty Jen (Jennifer Hosten), my grandmother’s younger sister became the first and only woman from Grenada to win Miss World in the 1970s. She inspires me a lot; she made a difference and gave Grenadians and other smaller islands confidence. I’ve always been inspired by her amazing aura and all the things she has done as an individual.

 I am currently a student in my sophomore year at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), majoring in Advertising and Photography. I have always been influenced and intrigued by the beauty of culture. I started taking pictures from a very young age and just enjoyed capturing beautiful things. After my studies I intend to open my own print creative advertising agency in Trinidad and other Caribbean islands.

Portrait by Clemen Matos 

I cannot explain my style. I tend to wear clothes that are sophisticated, but comfortable. I love wearing black and white, but I do have some hints of colour in my closet somewhere.

I have been fortunate enough to travel to many exotic places such as Grenada, Barbados, Aruba, Curacao, Venezuela and Puerto Rico. I have also travelled to Paris, London and the USA. On my hit list is Spain, Rome and Greece.

I love being a woman because it gives me the opportunity to change the mindset of those who believe certain things can’t be done by women. It is rewarding to be the underdog. There are things that women do that couldn’t even be attempted by men, and things men can’t do well without the presence of a woman.

I am Complexd because of cultural background, beliefs and strong opinions. All these things allow me to be open-minded as an artist and individual.  My strong minded ways get me into trouble sometimes, but it has the strength to avoid people and things in life that leach to negativity.

View Stephanie’s photographs here 

Name: Efe Ezekiel

Age: 32

Place of birth: Hackney, London

Current residence: London, UK

I am very proud of my Nigerian roots, but I am glad I was brought up in a multicultural environment like East London.  My mother was a single parent who taught me how to survive and persevere. Because of her I can get through the hard times and enjoy the good times. I had a fun and creative childhood so from an early age I knew I wanted to work with children and in TV and film. I got involved in a voluntary project training young people about the Media which helped me discover my passion for inspiring young people.

I wanted to continue to contribute to the personal development of young people in the UK so I launched Ushine Ishine, a youth mentoring service and production company. It was challenging at first, I had to make many financial sacrifices while staying positive about my goals and aspirations. I had very long nights and early mornings, but I was truly passionate about my business so I found the motivation from within to make it a success. The most positive aspect about running my own business is the freedom to express my ideas. The most fulfilling part of my job is witnessing the advancement of the young people I mentor. I believe that young people lack confidence and self-esteem because we live in a society that continuously tells us that only a certain type of person can succeed in life. A lot of the young people I have spoken to feel faceless, insignificant and believe they have no future. I open their minds to a new way of thinking and a new state of mind.

The most common issue I encounter is body woes among young women. Many young women are in a battle with themselves and sadly each other. They are preoccupied with the way they look because they are trying to achieve what they see in the media, but it’s never going to be good enough. They feel pressured to look like the superstars thus go through extreme stages of self –loathing, leading to dieting and weight loss. On the flip-side there is also the issue of lack of knowledge about health, diet and nourishment. I battled with obesity as a teenager so I teach the young women I meet about health and fitness.

I love being a woman because I am representing the women that made great achievements before me, so that I could have the opportunity to get an education, have a career and live a free and adventurous life. I want to contribute to that limitless human pyramid by inspiring young women and men. I also love being a woman because it means that one day I can be a mother. I want to be a great mother to my children and all the young people I meet and mentor.

I am Complexd because I know that my individuality is a divine gift from God and I make sure that I live every day with gratitude, creativity and love. Ushine Ishine forever!

www.ushineishine.com

Name: Nada Abuzaid
Place of birth: England
Current residence: London, Dubai and Jamaica

I grew up in Kent, on the same street as fashion designer Zandra Rhodes. I had a very alternative British Arab upbringing because my parents were very open minded. They raised me to be a citizen of the world and we have close friends and relatives from a diverse range of countries, religions and cultures. I see myself as a proud internationalist.

Hair: Alero May, Photography: Desmond Murray, Stylist: Shatha Aka Muse, Dress: Venom Couture, Model: Samir Hashi

I am the founder and head designer of Venom Couture, a seductive and elegant label where I create Swarovski embellished red carpet gowns, bridal wear, ready to wear, stage bikini’s and the most recent addition the ‘gleeve’ (a combined leather glove and sleeve). My favourite service is designing custom made garments for my clients, I get my inspiration from their beauty and the various shapes and sizes they come in.

Gleeve styled by Rusana Rahman

I started designing custom made pieces when I was 16. My first piece was a jewelled bikini which was worn by Miss Universe Fitness 2000 and appeared on Euro Sport. I decided to obtain my bachelor in Fashion and Business and when I graduated I interned at an established couture house in Dubai. In Dubai I was able to build a client base of Saudi princesses and when I traveled to New York and London I gained a few celebrity clients.

ITV newsreader Charlene White at the Screen Nation Awards 2011

In my style books it’s never too early to wear evening-wear. Who says a couture gown should only be seen at night. Sometimes I wear a tiara with my jeans; it’s not against the law!

I’ve traveled to many countries but my most memorable trip was Jamaica. I was invited to appear on a TV show called Mission Catwalk which is the Jamaican version of Project Runway. I was a guest judge on episode 9 and the talented Jamaican designers I met were a great inspiration.

Dubai is my favourite city because I love its stylish culture. I worked for a top atelier called Arushi where all the aristocrats and royals have their couture gowns custom made and elaborately embellished.

But I do love the streets of London because it’s like a live catwalk.

I’m a strong, driven and ambitious woman and I feel lucky to be liberated because most women in the world don’t have that freedom. I believe women have the capability to be mothers, wives and world leaders all at the same time.

I am Complexd because Cleopatra has always been my inspiration. In essence I often feel like the reincarnation of her, when I read about her I feel like I am reading about myself.

See more of Nada’s designs here